Hyderabad: Despite Telangana featuring among the leaders in organ donation, six out of every seven children registered for a transplant in the state between 2013 and 2026 failed to receive an organ, official Jeevandan records show.According to the data, only 42 of the 300 registered children underwent transplantation (about 14%) over the past 14 years, while at least 130 children (43%) died. Another 81 remain “active patients” waiting for a transplant, while 47 have been classified as “inactive patients” after they did not opt for a transplant despite registering.Between 2013 and 2026, the Jeevandan programme received registrations for 186 liver, 84 kidney, 18 heart and 12 lung transplants involving children — among the highest across organ categories.ChallengesOfficials and health experts point to key challenge leading to this gap: mismatch between available organ sizes and the health of children awaiting transplants.“Usually, available donors are adults, while paediatric donors are fewer. A child’s abdomen is small, so an adult-sized kidney or heart cannot be transplanted into a child,” said Dr Narendra A, former director of medical education. The paediatric surgeon added: “Doctors are exploring techniques such as using only a part of an adult organ, particularly the liver, kidney, heart and lungs, where feasible to address this. However, the health of many children deteriorates while they wait for a suitable organ.”Another challenge is the limited availability of expertise, claim some doctors, adding how inadequate counselling teams at govt and private hospitals also often result in delayed or under-reported declarations of brain death.“Even major hospitals lack adequate expertise in paediatric transplantation and post-transplant care. Also, families with children who benefit from transplants often do not come forward to promote organ donation,” a Jeevandan official stated.While registrations have increased over the years, Jeevandan officials said only four or five private hospitals in Telangana are consistently fulfilling the requirements for paediatric organ transplantation and donation.“The contribution from govt hospitals is next to zero – as is the case with all organ donations,” a Jeevandan official said, even as registrations for paediatric organs have spiked – from 16 in 2020 to 69 in 2025.SolutionsDoctors recommended setting up mandatory organ retrieval centres in all hospitals with 100 or more beds, including govt medical colleges, along with greater recruitment of paediatric surgeons.“Better ICU staff, highly trained paediatric surgeons and stronger coordination between hospitals, transplant coordinators and Jeevandan could reduce delays and waiting lists,” said Dr Kiran Madhala, secretary-general, Telangana Teaching Doctors Association.Experts also suggested that awareness campaigns go beyond generic messaging and involve schools, colleges, religious institutions, community leaders and NGOs.“Greater family participation is also crucial. Many potential donors are lost because families are not counselled in time or remain unaware that one donor can save multiple lives,” said Dr Sree Bhushan Raju, nodal officer, Jeevandan.
